Experience the Southern Appalachians

Well within a day’s drive for millions of Americans, the Southern Appalachians region is an magnet for wilderness lovers and outdoor recreationists.

Paddlers can rip through the rapids on the Nantahala River. Hikers and equestrians can get out into more than a dozen designated wilderness areas. Mountain bikers can ride some of the best trails in the east in the legendary Pisgah National Forest.

Today, Jamie Williams, president of The Wilderness Society, issued the following statement on the expected nomination of U.S. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers for Secretary of the Interior.

“Across the political spectrum, Americans deeply cherish our shared public lands and want to see them protected for future generations. Turning the keys to our nation’s public lands over to someone who has called for drilling and development in pristine landscapes is not what most Americans want.

Unfortunately, she has voted for measures that would prevent taxpayers from receiving a fair price for resources mined on public lands, prioritized drilling public lands over recreational uses, and allowed companies to bypass certain Clean Air Act provisions for offshore drilling. It’s not all bad news, she has supported renewable energy and cosponsored legislation to promote responsible siting of wind and solar on public lands, but the balance sheet isn’t good. Here’s a sampling of the rest of her record.

Today, the Senate took its final steps to secure the National Defense Authorization Act – without the presence of a provision that would have undermined collaborative plans to conserve the sagebrush ecosystem and hampered the sage-grouse’s chances at survival.